Bar Welcomes Launch of Mental Health Chat Service

Mental Health Awareness Week 13-19 May 2019 (UK)

Legal mental healthy charity LawCare has announced, as part of Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK, that they will pilot a new webchat service from July 1.

The charity, which offers emotional support to legal professionals and staff in the UK and Ireland through a free confidential helpline and peer support network, received their highest ever number of helpline calls in 2018.

Elizabeth Rimmer, CEO of LawCare, said: “We are very excited to be launching webchat in July. More and more people in the legal community are reaching out to us for support every year so it is vital we expand our support service. We also know that many young people are more likely to seek help online than pick up the phone. Our webchat service will allow anyone working in the legal profession to contact one of our trained team members online for emotional support on any issue that is troubling them.”

Sarah Ramsey, Chair of the Bar Council added: “During 2018/19 The Bar chose to support AWARE who work to remove the stigma of depression and help local people living with mental health issues. The Bar welcomes the launch of the webchat and the difference it will make to those working in the legal profession. A webchat is a subtle platform that may be more appealing to those needing assistance with their mental health as those accessing professional help will appear to be texting and The Bar is excited to see innovative technology employed in this way.”

Webchat will be available from July 1 at www.lawcare.org.uk or www.lawcare.ie . The helpline is 0800 279 6888 in the UK and 1800 991 801 in Ireland